Global Music Resource

Computers are capable of working with many types of digital audio formats.

Codec, or encode-decode / compression-decompression refers to the hardware and software applications that conduct the conversion of analog signal to digital (and the reverse for playback) and, if the application is capable, also the compression rate of the data into digital or between digital formats. The encoding is based on algorithms, or mathematical equation, that manipulate the digitized data. Some audio to digital applications convert analog signal in an uncompressed format which result in large data files. The compression of a signal is normally the conversion of an already digitized signal.